Retirees' Livelihood Protests in Several Cities in Iran Emphasizing 'Double Oppression' of Women by the Government

Protests by retirees from social security, national, telecommunications, and steel sectors took place in several cities across the country on Sunday, emphasizing the 'double oppression' of women by the government in Iran and calling for the release of Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist sentenced to death. According to reports received by VOA and published in labor sources, retirees from various organizations gathered on Sunday, July 17, to protest against their living conditions, unmet labor demands, the arrest and pressure on labor activists, and the additional pressure on women in several cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shush, and Ahvaz. In Tehran, retired protesters chanted: 'Oppression and tyranny here, doubled for women.' In Tehran, retirees also protested against the arrest and death sentence issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi, chanting: 'Sharifeh Mohammadi must be freed.' Simultaneously, retired protesters in Shush, Khuzestan province, chanted 'Let go of the hijab, think of us.' They also condemned the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi. In Kermanshah, protesters demanded welfare services including free healthcare and wage adjustments based on inflation rates. In Isfahan, retirees from the steel industry pointed to financial corruption and embezzlement, addressing the Islamic Republic officials with the chant: 'Reduce your theft, solve our problem.' Retirees from Khuzestan's steel industry also gathered in front of the retirement fund for the steel industries in Ahvaz. The expansion of protests among various groups, including retirees, workers from different industries, teachers, defrauded investors, and healthcare workers, indicates increasing livelihood problems in Iran and the indifference of Islamic Republic officials. The continuation of livelihood protests on Sunday came just two days after government voting and the appointment of a successor to Ebrahim Raisi. Some observers consider the change of the head of government in the current structure of the regime insignificant for solving economic and livelihood problems. Economist Hossein Raghfar recently stated that there are two governments in the ruling system of Iran; one has 'weapons and power' and affects people's livelihoods, while the other has 'no power at all.' Additionally, economist Jamshid Asadi previously predicted that the economic and livelihood conditions would worsen in Iran.